My partner Kim and I had the pleasure of attending the Cloc Theatre Companiesproduction of Les Miserables on 23rd May 2017.

It was in fact my first time at seeing Les Miserable live in a theatre production. And I must say that my introduction to Musical Theatre’s adaptation of Victor Hugo’s historical novel ‘Les Miserables’ by the Cloc Musical Theatre was a delight to all my senses.

It is set in early 19th Century France … the story of Jean Valjean, a French peasant and his quest for redemption after serving nineteen years in jail for having stolen a loaf of bread for his sister’s starving child.

Valjean then decides to break his parole and start his life again after a kindly bishop inspires him by a tremendous act of mercy and belief in him. Yet he is relentlessly tracked down by a police inspector named Javert.

Along the way, Valjean and a variety of characters are swept into yet another Revolutionary period in France, where a group of young idealists make their last stand at a street barricade.

Thus I would personally recommend that you do yourself the honour of experiencing a live production of ‘Les Miserables‘ wherever you may be situated around the world.

So for those of you living in Melbourne, Victoria Australia, make a booking NOW for ‘any’ production presented by the Cloc Musical Theatre Company! Their venue, the National Theatre in St.Kilda simply adds its charm to the ambiance of the performances.

They are the victim of over analysis

Many people with high level of intelligence lean towards over-thinking and keep analyzing everything that occurs in their life, their surroundings and beyond. Too much thinking can be exhausting at times, especially when your thoughts lead you to conclusions which vex and frustrate you. They weigh you down, but you can’t help but think and think, no matter how draining the experience is.

Their ability to analyze things is great. But, it is also true that we don’t need to pay attention to everything, and crowd our minds with unsavory thoughts. ‘Ignorance is bliss,’ this saying holds good for people like you who can see right through anybody and identify their true motives. Undoubtedly, the world seems a disappointing place occupied by wrong people. Not to mention the feelings that affect you upon the reflection on philosophical problems, global affairs and the eternal questions of life that have no answers. If you learn to ignore, you can feel lighthearted, cheerful and happy.

They want to match everything with their high standards

People with high IQ are always sure of what they want and anything less than their expectations fail to satisfy them, and this makes it more difficult for them to be happy. This stands true for everything, whether it is career, relationships or anything else that matters in life.

It’s a fact of life that we never get all what we want. But, this practical knowledge is not present in those who have brilliant theoretical minds. They have little practical intelligence and maintain idealistic views of the world that really doesn’t help them in coping with the ways of the world. So, when they find the reality is contrary to their expectations, they feel greatly disappointed.

Intelligent people judge themselves too hard

One of the reasons of unhappiness also crops from their tendency to be extremely hard on themselves. It is not only about their successes and failures, but everything that is about them. Their deep thinking nature minutely analyses their behavior and actions and compares them against highest standards. Even though it is done unintentionally, this tendency offers them enough reason to blame themselves for no reason.

An act committed years ago can suddenly haunt their mind and remind them how they had failed to do things rightly. This disturbs their mind and messes up their mood. After that, they can hardly spend the day cheerfully or manage a relaxing sleep at night. These types of flashbacks into past mistakes are frequent in intelligent people. Guilt and discontent fill their mind. These negative emotions are enough to erase happiness from one’s life.

They aim for bigger things

They cannot be satisfied with what they have in life because their high IQ gives them the power to imagine bigger things. And they are always looking for a bigger purpose, a meaning and a pattern. Some of them are driven too far away by their intense imagination, making it impossible for them to enjoy the good things they have in their life. Ordinary life is too boring for them and that is why they search for exceptionalism, which of course doesn’t exist in reality.

Do you think this planet is not your real abode or you should live in a different era? It is nothing new about intelligent, deep thinking individuals. With such thoughts swarming your mind, you can hardly hope to be happy when you cannot accept the world and even the time you are living in.

No one to appreciate them or have a meaningful conversation

We all yearn to be truly understood, but intelligent people can hardly find someone who can understand them. When we have understanding people around us, half of the stress in our lives ceases to exist. It is very comforting to have a meaningful conversation with a like-minded person. They understand your views and ideas on everything spanning from personal life, philosophy, to global affairs and other complex questions. Most intelligent people feel misunderstood and lonely, as usually no one appreciates the depth with which they can see and analyze things.

Science has proved that smart people don’t need to socialize as much as the people with average IQ, to be happy. Nevertheless, smart people feel the need to meet people, interact and have an enjoyable conversation. They are more interested in talking about meaningful and fascinating things rather than talk on subjects like food, weather or weekend plans. The truth is, it is difficult to come by a person who can indulge in a deep conversation. This is the result of the materialist and consumerist society we live in.

Smart people often develop psychological issues.

Many studies have found a connection between highly intelligent minds and psychiatric disorders like bipolar disorders and social anxiety. Is it possible that these disorders are side effect of a brilliant mind? This cannot be confirmed as there are so many hidden mysteries of human mind and science, yet to be revealed.

It is not that all intelligent people suffer from severe mental disorders. But even the ones who don’t, are susceptible to existential depression which usually results from over-thinking. If you keep on thinking and analyzing everything deeply, there comes a time when you start thinking about life and death. Your mind begins to search for the meaning of your existence and that is when you begin to re-evaluate your own life. This saddens you, but for no apparent reason.”

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I am sharing with you today a story by Ancestry.com about one woman’s experience with DNA testing for genealogical purposes.
I too have done this and it has been incredible finding out the results which went a lonf way to confirming he family tree i had compiled for my self along with finding long lost cousins.Thornley Genealogical services commend this service by Ancestry dot com’s as an additional way of establishing your family roots.

Diary of a DNA Test

(shared from Ancestry dot com)

” My 21-year-old stepdaughter was over for Easter dinner and saw the Ancestry DNA kit on the table.

“I’m so jealous,” she said, “I want to know where I come from.”

I’ve been working on my family genealogy for 3 and a half decades, so, what do I want out of the DNA test?

I’m like my step-daughter: I want to know where I’m from. And who knows who I might meet along the way?

March 28, 2016

Opening the Box

I’ve been worried about the ways I can screw this up. Will the pork rinds I ate at dinner show up in my results? What if I can’t spit enough?

Will this become part of my permanent record? What if it turns out my family is completely boring? Also, can I convince my husband to take it to the post office for me? I don’t have cash for postage… [but it turns out it’s pre-paid]

First a moment of intimidation, making sure I got the 15-digit code right to activate the test. I made a typo, but caught it on review, so check your work!

I actually did something rare and read the Terms and Conditions. Apparently, I won’t be able to sue if I don’t like the answers I get – or really for any other reason. And yes, I retain the rights to my actual DNA. [phew!]

And then there was the Informed Consent form to participate in research projects to “better understand the human species.” Cool. This is probably the closest I’ll get to scientific research, so I had to say yes.

Preparing the Sample

I can’t eat, drink, or smoke for 30 minutes before the test. Luckily the pork rinds came some time ago.

The instructions were easy … and though it was a little more spitting than I’m accustomed to, it wasn’t onerous.

And, as I’d noticed, the postage is pre-paid. Should make it easy to convince my husband to play postman since he’s going there anyway.

Now the waiting. Not my strong suit.

May 3, 2016

Why I Like Curry

What do you do when you’re waiting for the doctor to come into the exam room? I used to read magazines, but like many of us, I now goof around on my smartphone. I checked my mail, and my results were in. What better place to explore who I am?

As I started working down the list, most of the results were no shock:

40% European

21% Irish (frankly, a little higher than I would have guessed)

17% English (a little lower than I would have guessed)

11% Scandinavian

Scandinavia, huh? That came as a surprise! I don’t know of anyone from that region. Might have to chalk that up to Viking raids.

It’s the trace elements that really left me wanting more:

5% Finland/Northwest Russia

4% Greece/Italy

1% Iberian Peninsula

1% South Asian…

That’s what I shouted out to my doctor when he walked into the room:

I’m 1% South Asian!?

He looked at me like he might call a psych consult, but after I explained that I’d just gotten my DNA results, we learned that we share that 1% Iberian Peninsula. Olé!

Later, I looked into what my Ancestry meant when they said I have a range of possible ethnicity from South Asia that’s from 0 to 2%. That means that 0% is a possibility. But so is 2%.

In any case, I’m having my husband take me out to my favorite Indian restaurant to celebrate my findings.

I also have 311 user matches, which are all potential relatives. I want to talk to all of them tonight!

June 1, 2016

Let the Adventure Continue

I haven’t really plumbed all its depths yet. I have 29 results in the “new ancestor” section, but I haven’t figured out how any of them fit in with me.

I’m pretty excited to see how my DNA circles will grow. It builds a group of people descended from one of your ancestors. Sounds like it’s making Ancestry even more of a team sport.

Mostly, the database needs more participants to strengthen and expand the results. That’s fine, I don’t mind being an early adopter.

The more people involved (with online family trees that they’re willing to share!) though, the better chance I have of making new discoveries. I do hope any new data won’t negate my 1% South Asian results – though that wouldn’t stop me from going for that curry my husband keeps promising me.

– Elaine Clark

Start your own Adventure

Could there be unsuspected Scandinavian or South Asian ancestry in your ethnic mix? Take an AncestryDNA test to find out!

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Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī also known as Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Balkhī and more popularly simply as Rumi, was a 13th-century Persian poet, jurist, Islamic scholar, theologian and Sufi mystic.

His work transcends location, ethnicities, time, language and spirituality and has millions of followers the world over.

Rumi quotes
Some of his Love and Wisdom quotes:-

“Lovers don’t finally meet somewhere. They’re in each other all along.”

“Love is the bridge between you and everything.”

“Let the beauty of what you love be what you do.”

“In your light I learn how to love. In your beauty, how to make poems. You dance inside my chest where no-one sees you, but sometimes I do, and that sight becomes this art.”

“Wherever you are, and whatever you do, be in love.”

“That which is false troubles the heart, but truth brings joyous tranquility.”

“Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.”

“Raise your words, not your voice. It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder”

“What you seek is seeking you.”

As an admirer and ‘student’ of Rumi’s work, I am proud and humbled to be sharing his wisdom with my own photographs. (You are welcome to share them provided they are in their original and complete form)Michael E Thornley

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Grant Dodwell’s Australian National Theatre Live brings Emerald City into cinemas.

Recently on my Gypsy Traveller Tour of Eastern Australia, I had the good fortune to be invited to the screening of Grant Dodwell’s Australian National Theatre Live production of ‘Emerald City’ in Nambour, Queensland.

Emerald City is a 1987 play by Australian playwright David Williamson, a satire about two entertainment industries: film and publishing.

“This very 1980’s social comedy — about a successful writer who moves from rainy, serious Melbourne to sunny, hedonistic Sydney and falls in love with the tantalizing appeal of a house by the water — still works.”

The Australian National Theatre Live ‘ANT’ is bringing the ‘Live’ theatre experience to a number of areas in Australia that may not have ready access to live plays at the major theatre companies.

The majority of these theatre companies are capital city based and with the vast distances that occur in Australia, ANT saw an opportunity to provide the next best thing to an actual live performance. That is to film a live performance in such a way that the audience can absorb the inclusive ambiance that live theatre creates. In other words you feel that you are part of the play and that you are actually an integral component of the ‘set’ and not simply seated as an observer.

Having experienced ‘live theatre’ on many occasions I can honestly say that this concept works! Well done Grant and the team! I wish you all every success.

So do yourself a favour, if you have the opportunity ensue that you see the Australian National Theatre Live’s film production of the Aussie classic play ‘Emerald City’ by playwright David Williamson.

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Synchronicity – ” the simultaneous occurrence of events which appear significantly related but have no discernible causal connection.” ….or do they?

Seeing ‘signs’ or recognising interrelated occurrences happens to all of us. I do not think that anyone could deny this has not happened at least once in their lives. And for many of us it has occurred on numerous occasions.

So why does it happen? Well there any many reasons, theories and belief systems that offer an explanation. Yet regardless of your own personal view on this, I am sure that we all agree that it can and does happen.

Research has confirmed Synchronicity?

It happens to everyone sooner or later: A certain number will just pop up wherever you go; an old friend you haven’t seen in 20 years since high school contacts you the very same day you’re looking at their picture in a school yearbook; you’re singing a song and you turn on the radio and there is that same song is playing…. the list is endless.

Many simply say “oh it is just a co-incidence’. Well let me ask you ‘How many co-incidences are happening in your life?’ Can it ALL be a co-incidence?

Yet others might think of it in terms of the odds. If there is a one-in-a-million chance of that particular coincidence happening, why make such a big deal of it? For example, somebody has to win the lottery! I accept that this viewpoint has a certain validity as synchronicity is part and parcel of physical laws. It doesn’t defy the natural order of events…. it simply raises more questions than can easily be answered by a cause-and-effect equation.

So when synchronicity happens, many people overlook it or call it something else. They might say, “I got lucky,” or “It came out of the blue.”. Then when asked if they have experienced synchronicity, they can’t remember any. All those incidents are filed away in their sub-conscious, but under the category of luck.

” We experience synchronicity most often when we’re open and aware, which in turn is affected by the outer conditions in which we find ourselves and the inner conditions in which we put ourselves. ”

Special circumstances such as births, deaths, and times of upheaval are outer conditions that push us toward openness because, as the ground shifts beneath our feet, we feel more vulnerable.

Mundane circumstances of daily life can be rich with synchronicity if we have the right inner conditions—if we make ourselves more open to the world through personal awareness and inner work.

Strings of Synchronicities

When we are beginning a relationship for example, synchronicity seems to appear all over the place. We feel light-headed, happy, open; the world is smiling back at us, giving the relationship a sense of destiny and ‘producing signs.

As the song goes ‘Signs, signs everywhere a sign” and for me I place allot of importance on this. I see the Universe is guiding me and confirming that I am on the right path. Others may call it God, spirit or some other entity or ideal. Yet it all comes down to ‘It actually happens’.

The sceptics may still call it a coincidence, yet by calling it something they are acknowledging it is happening 🙂 I rest my case 😉

‘Who is in Your Family Tree?… Where to Begin Your Research’ by Michael Thornley

the history of a particular family showing how the different members of the family are related to each other

Also known as Family Tree Research: finding one’s family origins.

FAMILY PHOTOS- George Deudney, my 3X Great Grandfather

Have you ever wondered about your origins? ……Are there stories handed down through the generations that you would love to solve?….. Wondering how and where to start?

Then why not utilise the experience of Thornley Genealogical services to get you started or indeed contract them to do it for you. Either way, you will share in the journey of discovery along the way!

Michael Thornley has over 35 years experience in researching both his own and others family origins. He has collected 15,000 + family members on his ‘family tree’ whom he affectionately calls his cousins and indeed they are as they all share a common ancestor with him.

Who is in Your Family Tree is a guide for the budding Family Tree Researcher or Genealogists as they are also known as… there we are, learning something already and you haven’t even read the book yet!

Michael E Thornley is not only an Author and Entrepreneur but in addition successfully runs ‘Thornley Genealogical Services’ as one of his businesses. “A man that wears many hats at once” he is sometimes heard to say. But he does this most successfully!This book is a guide to the basics of ‘how to get started’ in researching your family tree. He has often been asked “ well I have seen all these links on the Internet about where to do the research BUT HOW do I get started??”Thus Michael has put together a straight forward guide to answer some of the more common questions that are asked. He has also shared tips on what to expect when you start asking family and friends about ‘what they know’ in relation to ‘my family’. You may be surprised at some of the reactions!

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Over the years Social Media has been blamed for many things such as feeding peoples addictive behaviour; creating face to face communication breakdown; the breaking up of marriages etc. It is not Social Media that is to blame but the choices you as an individual make. In most cases it is used as an excuse for all these social issues.

However I do acknowledge that most of us including myself check our Facebook, Twitter, Instagram accounts daily. Yet it is a means of keeping in touch with our family and friends and what is happening in the world. We used to spend hours watching TV, reading newspapers, writing letters or talking on the phone. Now we have instant access 24/7 the world over and that is an incredible advancement in communication…. we simply need to be sensible in how we utilise this service.

I personally have found Social media to be a godsend at times in my life when I have experienced periods of loneliness or in times of stress and hardship. In using Facebook as an example, I have found like-minded and empathetic people around the world who have been ‘on-line’ friends for years. And in my opinion they are true friends whether you have had the pleasure to meet them face to face or not.

Social media allows you to share your experiences and adventures and our photographs of family and friends and our interaction with others will tell you allot about that particular person. The old adage that a picture is worth a thousand words runs true. In the majority of cases I can judge the calibre’ of the person by the subject matter of their photographs along with the types of memes (pictures with messages written on them) and the various posts that they share.

And I have confirmed my ‘intuition’ by meeting many of my Facebook friends from all over the world and as many of you know, I am currently meeting and staying with some of these ‘Facebook’ friends for the very first time. They have entrusted their own instinct and intuition from having known me on-line for many years………. And I am most humbled and blessed for their trust in me. And so I have now enhanced many of these friendships with people that I would most likely never have met had it not been for Social media.

Of course to clarify, many ‘friends’ on Social Media are just acquaintances so to speak. However my point is that Social Media can indeed be a positive experience provided you are sensible and practical in it’s application and inclusion in your daily routine.

Greetings from Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory, Australia.

As many of you know I have been ‘Living the Lifestyle‘ that I chose and created for myself. I am a firm believer of ‘just doing it’ and ‘making it happen!

I am currently travelling all over South Eastern Australia with my ‘business based on my laptop’> All that is needed is simply an internet connection and then I can work from anywhere in the world! This is allowing me to live life I want and experience the many new and exciting adventures that the Universe is placing before me 🙂

IT CAN BE DONE!

For nearly 3 weeks now I have driven over 2,500 klms (1553 mls) yet I have only seen such a very small part of this vast homeland we affectionately call the Land of Oz… i.e. Australia. And what a magnificent country it is! From the tropical rainforests that abound with life to the vast open plains of tawny coloured grasslands; from pyramid shaped hills and mountains covered in olive green Eucalyptus trees to the ever growing skyward city-scapes from where their suburban sprawls radiate out from.

From bright and often blinding sunshine to high winds and raging tempests……. to the softness of sleet falling upon ones face to the cold waters of the Bass straight awakening the spirit within.

We need to experience the changing of the seasons to renew and revitalize our body-clocks, especially those of us that reside in the sub-tropics or tropics of our north ( Southern Hemisphere). By having a ‘true’ winter occasionally, it will bring us in tune with Mother Earth and the elements that exist throughout the Universe from which we are made of.

JUST DO IT!

I am also meeting some beautiful people along the way and for the very first time :)…… many of whom have been my friends on Social media for many years. This enhances the friendships that have been created (well in most instances….in fact some of them may be glad to see me drive off!! hahaha).

However in all seriousness, it is a time for self growth thus learning more about oneself along the way.

I have dreams and certain goals but I am always flexible to make the changes that are necessary. Some of the goals and dreams were pathways to a greater experience, thus I opened myself up to the direction that was placed before me.

These goals and dreams are on what I prefer to call a ‘Life List’ as a ‘Bucket List’ is defined as something to do once and ‘tick it off’ once it is completed. I may well want to do all or some of what I have experienced already over and over again!

Restrictions, (other than legal or moral laws of course) are not in my vocabulary. My body might tell me you are not as fit as you used to be sometimes but that is ok… I do as much as I can and simply give it a go. I would rather have tried than had ‘regrets’…another of those words I try never to use. Perhaps ‘misgivings’ for want of a better word…. for not of at least trying!!

LIVE AND EXPERIENCE YOUR LIFE’S LIST

So let me ask you this!….. Are you living your life? If not why not? And once you have come up with all the usual excuses, sit back and think about your dreams and goals and see that the reasons you are NOT living your life is because you are making excuses when you should be making choices!

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR LIFE’S DIRECTION. IT IS ENTIRELY UP TO YOU!

Life has not been easy for me either at times, especially over the last 9 years or so. I have made certain choices and experienced massive learning curves. But you know what? I have LIVED! I have NO regrets just lessons learnt. I have found ways and made changes to be where I am now. And no, it is not always easy but life is a continual process, not one to stuck inside a small box and vegetate. LIVE IT!

So no more ‘I can’t afford it or I don’t have the time.’ YOU can and you do if you choose too….

A ‘Good Life’ is relative to the individual and the ‘4 Pillars of a ‘Good Life– Health, Wealth, Love and Happiness are the main criteria in varying degrees to achieve this goal. Together, they can create the lifestyle you seek and the ‘Good Life‘ you deserve!

Let us assist you in creating the Good Life with the Courses and Resources we have made available to you at Michael Thornley Org.

TheDalai Lamatells us that “The point to life is happiness.” Yet so many of us struggle to find it in a world full of stress and expectation.

(AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool, File)

People tend to believe that in order to achieve happiness you need only have money (wealth) and to amass a host of material objects. But to have wealth alone does not necessarily bring you health, love and/or happiness. Additionally, many people judge success purely on wealth, yet it is a combination of all these factors that achieves positive results in your life.

Remember, we should also be rich of heart and soul as well , an important asset to have in driving your passion to achieve your goals. And believing in yourself and having the faith and fortitude to step outside the square or at the very least to push out from your bubble is paramount in obtaining the ‘Good Life‘

I firmly believe that a combination of Wealth, Health and Love can indeed equal Happiness. A ‘Good Life’ is a balance of all these factors. :)…………..

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